Emeril Lagasse Headlines Best of the Silver State Awards

Emeril Lagasse has a big weekend in Vegas planned, starting with the Best of Silver State Restaurant & Lounges Awards on Friday. The ceremony from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Sands Showroom at the Venetian honors top restaurants, lounges and chefs with Lagasse himself as a guest presenter.

This year, more than 13,000 votes were cast in 17 categories for the event sponsored by TMG Entertainment in partnership with the Nevada Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NvRAEF).

The night starts at 5 p.m. with a silent auction and Champagne reception with passed hors d'oeuvres hosted by the Venetian and Moet Hennessey and the one-hour awards ceremony will kick off at 6 p.m. Former TV personalities Dayna Roselli and Nina Radetich along with Las Vegas Sun gossip columnist Robin Leach host.

Several awards have already been announced in advance. Kerry Simon, who has Simon Restaurant & Lounge at Palms Place, received the Visionary Award while Sirio Maccioni, the name behind Sirio Ristorante at Aria and Circo and Le Cirque at the Bellagio, will receive the Pioneer Award. Alex Stokes, director of food and health safety at Wynn Las Vegas, will be honored with the Industry Champion Award.

Tickets to the awards ceremony are $40 and include admission to the Champagne cocktail reception as well as reserved seating for the ceremony. Tickets are available at www.nvrestaurants.com, or at any Palazzo or Venetian box office. Proceeds from the event benefit NvRAEF's educational and scholarship programs. [EaterWire]
Emeril Lagasse [Photo: Emeril's Homebase]